Unohana Beneath the Moonlight

The clash between Tachikawa Shin and Zaraki Kenpachi had stirred quite the storm—loud enough to reach the ears of Squad 1.

After learning the full context, the Head Captain issued a formal reprimand to Squad 11, ordering them to cover the repair costs for the dojo they'd destroyed.

But the Head Captain also showed a particular interest in the outcome of the fight.

Ikkaku did not lie.

News quickly reached Squad 4.

"Tachikawa won?" Unohana Retsu's tone held a note of rare surprise when Kotetsu Isane brought her the report.

"Yes," Isane nodded. "A messenger from Squad 1 came earlier—they mentioned disciplinary action for Shin, but he was out on a mission at the time."

Unohana was silent for a moment, then softly asked, "Why… did he go to Squad 11 and fight Captain Zaraki?"

Isane answered in Shin's defense, "Actually, 3rd Seat Madarame from Squad 11 had invited him several times. Shin declined before, but this time, he probably just couldn't avoid it."

Unohana remained quiet.

If Shin had truly wanted to refuse, no number of invitations would have moved him.

So then… why did he go?

Isane added, "I really don't think it was Shin's fault. You know how Captain Zaraki is. If he insisted on a duel, Shin couldn't exactly say no—especially on their turf."

"When Tachikawa returns, tell him to come see me."

"…Yes."

Isane bowed and turned to leave.

"Never mind," Unohana said suddenly.

"There's no need."

"…"

The office fell into silence with the soft click of the closing door.

That afternoon, Shin returned.

He gave a brief, perfunctory report on his mission to Isane in her office.

She relayed Squad 1's reaction, as well as the fact that Captain Unohana now knew everything.

"What was her reaction?" Shin asked.

"I'm not really sure," Isane replied, frowning. "She didn't seem angry… but she didn't seem indifferent either. It was just… strange."

Shin chuckled softly. "I see."

"You see what?"

He stepped closer, wrapped his arms around her. "Nothing."

Flustered, Isane pushed at his chest. "H-Hey, what are you doing? This is the squad barracks!"

"I'm not doing anything."

"Then your hands—!"

In her office, Unohana Retsu sat alone at her desk.

The afternoon sun slanted across the floor, painting her form in shadow and golden light. Her profile was etched like ink on parchment.

She turned her head slightly, gazing through the wooden lattice window.

Outside, wind danced through the hanging cherry blossoms. A few petals drifted silently past the desk's edge, falling into stillness.

Eventually, Isane broke free of Shin's embrace, cheeks burning.

She smoothed her uniform, tucked back her hair.

"I wasn't finished talking to you."

"What else?"

Shin moved to the cabinet, poured himself a glass of water.

"You really beat Captain Zaraki?"

"It was just a spar."

"That's still incredible."

Isane bit her lip. "I never imagined… you were this strong. You haven't even been a Shinigami that long."

Shin sipped his water. "It's not enough."

He looked at her, eyes glinting with thought.

"Come to my place tonight."

Her face turned red again. "No!"

"I'm serious."

"I don't believe you."

"I have a way to make you stronger."

"…Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"You just said you weren't doing anything—and your hands were…"

Still—she agreed. Even if he hadn't said anything about making her stronger, she wouldn't have refused him.

But to avoid being seen, she chose to stay behind at Squad 4, catching up on paperwork instead of leaving with him.

She wasn't lazy. Her duties were usually up to date. Before long, she had nothing left to do, and found herself lying on her desk, lost in thought.

Should I go home first… take a bath… change clothes?

If I go back, Kiyone will definitely start teasing me again…

She sniffed her sleeves. Her hair. No strange odors. Good.

Now that she and Shin were… whatever this was, she suddenly cared a great deal about how he saw her.

He said he had a way to make her stronger… but was that true?

There weren't that many ways for a Shinigami to grow stronger. Could he really have something different in mind?

Or… maybe he just wanted to—

Her face flushed again.

Outside, night had fully fallen. Moonlight flooded in, soft and silent. The barracks were quiet. Everyone else had likely left.

She cupped her cheeks, breathing deep, then grabbed her Zanpakutō and stood up.

As she shut the office door, she turned—and froze.

Someone was sitting at the corridor.

Captain Unohana.

Moonlight coated the roof tiles of Squad 4 like silver-washed silk, rippling across the eaves.

Unohana sat quietly, a sake set beside her. In her hand, a delicate white cup. Her fingers poised, yet unmoving—caught mid-drink. A faint smile tugged at her lips, more fragile than the liquid inside her cup.

The light played on her raven-black hair. Whatever wistfulness she held vanished into her wide sleeves.

"Isane."

She looked up, smiled with that same serene warmth.

Isane blinked, then blushed.

Captain… is so beautiful.

She approached hesitantly, then sat beside her captain, equally quiet as she took in the moon.

"Captain, what brings you out here tonight?"

"…Why, indeed?"

Unohana gazed at the full moon, her voice like drifting silk.

"Perhaps… I thought there wouldn't be many more nights like this."

Isane tilted her head. "Captain, what do you mean?"

Unohana smiled, soft as ever.

"There's something you don't know."

"…"

"Shiba Isshin, Captain of Squad 10, has petitioned the Head Captain and the Central 46 to step down in three years—so his nephew, Shiba Kaien, can become a captain."

Isane blinked, confused as to why Unohana was telling her this.

But suddenly… things clicked.

That must be how Kaien became the new captain of Squad 3.

"Captain Isshin hasn't held his post very long. He's still young, capable. Normally, the Central 46 wouldn't agree to something like this."

Isane nodded slowly.

"But Isshin offered a condition."

Unohana paused.

"In three years, someone else will take his place. Someone who's already agreed to it with him."

She turned her eyes on Isane, calm and composed.

"That person… is Tachikawa Shin."

"…"

Isane's breath caught.

She stared for a long moment, wide-eyed.

Unohana looked away again, raising her eyes to the moon.

"So… in three years, Shin will leave Squad 4… and become Captain of Squad 10…" Isane whispered.

"Mm."

Her mind reeled.

Why hadn't Shin told her?

Was it confidential? A captain's secret?

Three years… Only three years. Such a short time for souls who lived for centuries.

"…That's a good thing for him, right?"

The silence stretched until Isane spoke again.

"Captain… I'm not leaving Squad 4. I'm not leaving you."

Unohana smiled.

"I know, Isane."

"…"

"But tell me—do you know why it's three years?"

Isane blinked. "Why?"

Unohana gently traced her fingers along the rim of the sake cup.

"Because Tachikawa told Captain Shiba… he had things left to do in Squad 4."

"…Like what?" Isane asked without thinking.

Unohana only smiled.

Did he mean… the things he said about changing Squad 4's image?

Or…

Was it because of… me?